Adapting New Trend : Ingredient to

Success

“COVID 19 was several steps ahead of her business. Despite her efforts, she lost her markets
one by one.”

Dolores Diesta is a well-known Nito

Weaver from Sominot, Zamboanga
Del Sur. She inherited this talent from
her late parents, who originated from
Bicol.

Due to poverty, the latter wasn’t able

to finish school and, later on, started
her own family at a very young age.
Her husband was a fisherman and had two kids from him. At first, the family was able to manage
their income and expenses, but as years went by, every day became a struggle, since the kids
were already sent to school. As parents, they had no other choice left but to try harder and
surpass every challenge that was thrown against them.

Years later, her husband died.

Ms. Dolores barely managed the incident. Since that day, the flow of their lives has completely
changed. Her two kids continue their studies on their own and strive hard to reach their dreams.

While continuing her journey, Ms. Dolores met someone who offered a hand to guide and
accompany her against all the challenges of life, at the age of 40, Sominot became her new
home: with her new life partner and two more
kids. But then, being financially stable seems
like a lifetime dream for her. In an unfamiliar
and strange place, she continued her unending
battle trying to provide for the needs of her
family.
 Then, she decided to continue the legacy of
her parents. She started to weave nito and
sell it to her neighborhood. At first, the
language barrier became her problem but as
time went by, she learned to adapt to her
new environment and later on became a
member of the Rural Improvement Club
(RIC) Organization, where she was given a
chance to showcase and develop her talents
more in the field of weaving.

Her products were displayed in the Tourism Office and Office of the Municipal Agriculturist of
the LGU-Sominot. She received orders especially during Araw and Fiesta of the Municipality.
Bulk orders also took place occasionally.

Ms. Dolores became genuinely happy, thinking that she did not only help her husband but was
also able to continue the pride of her family from Bicol.

Until COVID 19 came. Despite her efforts, she lost her markets one by one.

Last February 24, 2022, the DTI-Negosyo Center conducted a Business Opportunity Seminar in
Sominot and that was when Mrs. Dolores Diesta started her involvement with the agency. Her
business was being registered and was given a Business Name “Diesta Handicrafts
Manufacturing”.

She received one on one Business Counselling Consultation from the DTI. The issues and
concerns of her business were thoroughly discussed and brainstormed. Not long enough, the
problem was being properly addressed. Diesta Handicrafts was enrolled in an online platform to
cope with its marketing problems. Through this
strategy, her products will be known not only
within her resident municipality, but also in its
neighborhood.

With the help of the Department of Trade and

Industry, Diesta Handicrafts Manufacturing is now
in full operation and the CEO is always looking
forward to more training, seminars, and
involvement with the agency.